ADVC-300 audio capturing controls(treble/bass) and VHS tapes

[Wile_E]

I was wondering what everyone's opinion is on using the audio controls of the ADVC-300, when capturing VHS tapes? If I leave the controls in the middle/default position, is this close to the original output of the VCR? It seems for my HI-FI tapes, I have to boost the treble to get the extended range of the original tape. But with standard VHS tapes, I am uncertain what to do. What is even more confusing, is that my PC's sound card has treble/bass controls. I usually boost the treble a bit using this control, otherwise games sound muffled.

What I need is an accurate way of analyzing the original audio, so I can capture it exactly as it was recorded. I don't want to over-process the audio. Is there any way to do this, or should I capture whatever sounds best to me?

My equipment:
ADVC-300
JVC HR-S9911U
TMPGenc software

[edDV]

Not many of us can afford the ADVC-300 but I would suspect a nominal setting would be appropriate unless you are hearing high frequency rolloff in HiFi audio. VHS HiFi errors are usually phase, dynamic range* or noise related rather than frequency rolloff.

Linear tracks are similar to standard cassette tape.

What is even more confusing, is that my PC's sound card has treble/bass controls. I usually boost the treble a bit using this control, otherwise games sound muffled.

What I need is an accurate way of analyzing the original audio, so I can capture it exactly as it was recorded. I don't want to over-process the audio. Is there any way to do this, or should I capture whatever sounds best to me?

You need to calibrate your sound system first before making judgement. Get commercial CD and cassette tapes sounding right first before you use your sound system to evaluate captures.

Correction during capture should only be done if you are sure the source is at fault. Otherwise you are doing damage.

*VHS audio has heavy AGC often resulting in strange volume compression artifacts.

[dvd3500]

I'm not sure how you are going about doing this but usually 70% of full volume is best, with a littel more treble if ther eis a lot of dialog. The sound mixer of your sound card is being completely bypassed in this process so that is not a good judge.
I recommend capturing the same clip a few different ways.
Watch something on the TV or PC at a decent volume and and then play back the clips in a playlist mode to see what sounds best.